McGowan called up to England Counties XV

WORTHING Raiders Rugby Club lock Charlie McGowan has been called up to the England Counties XV for their international against Scotland Club XV at Fylde on February 27.

The uncapped McGowan has been called into the squad as a replacement for Richmond’s Will Warden, who has been forced to withdraw having suffered concussion while on club duty recently.

McGowan’s previous representative honours include an appearance for the Barbarians against the Combined Services at Plymouth in the annual Remembrance Match in November, 2013.

McGowan’s call-up increases the number of new caps in the England Counties XV squad to eight.

The Scotland Club XV match is the only home fixture for the England Counties XV this season and will be followed by a trip to Perigeux to play France Federale XV on March 20 and two matches in Romania on their summer tour in early June.